HEADLINES:
Community Park, Rigo Court Dedicated
PA Maple Sweetheart Named At Banquet
30th Anniversary
Clifford Bicentennial Celebration Planning
PARSE Meeting

Community Park, Rigo Court Dedicated
By Lou Parrillo

Saturday, October 22, 2003 was a big, big day in the borough of Lanesboro. A Community Park was dedicated behind the Community Center. This is not only for the children (also adults) of Lanesboro, but also for children of Susquehanna and Oakland says Committee chairman, Chris Maby.

The Park will have rides, swings, slides and a rock climbing wall, and will be handicap accessible.

In addition to several families and businesses donating to the Park, a Lanesboro family, Stephen and Adrienne Rigo and their adult children, Stephen and Adrienne, withdrew a scholarship Fund in memory of their daughter, Theresa Ann, from the Susquehanna Community School and Seton Catholic School of Binghamton. The money from the two projects (of the Rigo’s) was instead donated to the Community Park and St. John’s Catholic Church for a kitchen-remodeling project.

The Park project will include a basketball court constructed in memory of Miss Rigo, to be called Rigo Court. Theresa Ann was killed August 12, 1995, in a car accident on the way home from Thompson. Her boyfriend, Todd Fabrizi, a passenger in the car, was seriously hurt and is confined to a wheelchair, a quadriplegic. Miss Rigo was born September 14, 1978.

Due to inclement weather, the dedication (scheduled for outside) – after the ribbon cutting – was continued inside the Community Center rooms.

Pictured (l-r) are the “Ribbon Cutters” at the dedication of the park: Adam Boughton, son of Dan and Sandy Boughton; Christian Miller, son of Chris and Joni Miller; Troy Maby, son of Greg and Carmen Maby; Bethany Maby, daughter of Greg and Carmen Maby; Tom Maby, son of Greg and Carmen Maby; William Terpstra, son of Arnold and Dianne Terpstra; George Wilkes, son of George and Colleen Wilkes; Matt Hilling, son of Robert and Kathleen Hilling; Andrew Burdick, son of Chip and Kim Burdick and Sharon and Todd Glover; Kamdin Maby, son of Chris and Tiffany Maby; Justice Groover, daughter of Andy Lesser; Tegan Hughston, daughter of Christy and Marc Hughston; Gabrielle Glover, daughter of Todd and Sharon Glover; Geena Miller, daughter of Joni and Chris Miller; Sarah Bolles, daughter of Tom and Lynn Bolles.

Mr. Maby sincerely thanked all the volunteers and especially those that used their machinery and equipment in building the park.

Inside, guest speakers County Commissioner Roberta Kelly, Representative Sandy Major and Lou Parrillo all extolled the work of the Lanesboro residents to build “a much-needed” Park, not only for the children, but also adults, that would like to spend a few hours “sitting (reading) in the Park.” Also in attendance was the County’s Housing Authority chairman, Bobbi Jo Turner.

Throughout the afternoon, with a nice crowd in attendance, Maestro Johnny Edwards kept the crowd entertained with his “all time favorite songs.”

A Community Park Cake was the delight of the day, along with other food and beverages.

Thanks were given to all who gave of their time and equipment by Chris Maby, “making the Community Park a reality.”

A personal note: Chris Maby should be highly complimented for undertaking such a huge project. Much had to be done – and still does – but with a huge outpour of volunteers and all kinds of machinery and manpower, Chris is getting the job done. There is one big thing that needs to be done. The Park got a grant, to get the project started but lots more financial help is needed. Donations can be made by anyone that is interested in the playground for the kids to: Lanesboro Community Park, c/o Chris Maby, P.O. Box 97, Lanesboro, PA 18827.

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PA Maple Sweetheart Named At Banquet

Rome PA – It was a sweet night for 17-year-old Megan Oxley, as she was crowned 2005-06 Pennsylvania Maple Sweetheart during the annual maple syrup producers’ banquet September 16, 2005.

Outgoing Sweetheart Sally Weber of Shinglehouse, and her alternate, Suzann Nowalk of Hop Bottom, crowned Oxley, daughter of Alan and Bonnie Oxley of Tioga, during the coronation ceremony. The 2005-06 Endless Mountains Maple Queen Brittany Fike, daughter of Sue and Larry Fike of Montrose, was named as the Sweetheart alternate.

Megan Oxley, the newly crowned 2005-06 Pennsylvania Maple Sweetheart.

Both Oxley and Fike will represent the PA Maple Council for the next year by attending local events – including the PA Farm Show and Ag Progress Days - and educating the public on the Pennsylvania maple syrup industry.

After the sweetheart contest participants gave their speeches on maple syrup, the 83 dinner guests were entertained with music by a local swing choir. Guest speaker Corp. John Richards of the Pennsylvania State Police spoke of the positive impact the Maple Sweetheart Program has on the young ladies, encouraging them to achieve their goals and to avoid a life of drugs and crime.

The sweetheart crowning and dinner, held at the Vigilante Fire Hall in Rome, were part of the 25th annual Pennsylvania State Maple Tour, hosted by the Endless Mountains Maple Syrup Producers Association. The two-day tour took place September 16 and 17 and included stops at two maple sugar operations, the new incubator kitchen at Keystone College in LaPlume, and a tour through French Azilum Historic Site in Bradford County.

For more information on the crowning or the Endless Mountains Maple Syrup Producers Association, call (570) 965–2679.

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30th Anniversary

Bill and Nancy Williams (pictured above), RR 1, Union Dale, recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They were married October 11, 1975 in the Lanesboro Community Church, Lanesboro, PA by the Rev. John H. Dabback.

Mrs. Williams is the former Nancy Robinson Majeski, the daughter of Bob and Corrine Robinson, Susquehanna, PA. Prior to retirement, she was employed by Bingham’s Restaurant, Kingsley, PA and is presently the PA State Coordinator for the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Beaumont, TX.

Mr. Williams, son of the late John and Anna Williams, Peckville is retired from the PA State Police.

The couple have four children: Lisa Majeski, Scranton; Bill Williams, Peckville; Jeff Williams, Jessup; Steve Majeski, Union Dale; and four grandchildren.

Bill and Nancy celebrated the occasion by recently attending the New Jersey State Harley Owners Group Rally in Wildwood.

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Clifford Bicentennial Celebration Planning

The Clifford Township Bicentennial Committee has had several monthly meetings to plan next July’s celebration. One year ago, the CTCA’s historical committee began work on projects related to this event. These projects, still in progress, include an historical video, a calendar highlighting the township’s twelve one-room school districts, a history book, a bicentennial/township seal, and a pictorial collection of our remaining barns.

Until next July, the CTCA and Historical committees will be meeting at the same time with the Bicentennial Committee. Meetings are at the Township Building on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m., except for December. The Steering Committee for the Bicentennial Celebration is as follows: CoChairmen – Chris Marcho and Phillip Price; Secretary – Janice Bevacqua; Media – Cherie Swetter; Advertising – Meg Suraci and Lynn Conrad; Parade – Harry Phillips and Jerry Verboys; Veterans Memorial – Jack Tellep; Artisans – Barbara and Helmut Kunst; Vendors – Lewis DeJoseph; Grants – Sandy Wilmot; Historical – Sally Fischbeck and Sandy Wilmot. Three additional committees in the process of being formed are children’s activities, entertainment and finance. All bicentennial committees seek additional participants. What a great way to meet interesting people and get involved in a once in a lifetime project. The official bicentennial website is: www.cliffordpa.com.

As with all good works, the support of the community is essential. The Bicentennial Committee is holding a raffle. Tickets are on sale now through December 2 by committee members and at local stores. Purchasing them will assist with the preservation of the township’s history for this and future generations. Your help is greatly appreciated. The drawing for cash prizes ($500, $250, $125 and $62.50) will be made at the end of the evening at the Clifford Village Christmas celebration.

Honoring Their Sacrifice

A veterans memorial will be built this spring and dedicated on July 2, 2006. A field stone wall will have a recessed 3 ft. by 4 ft. piece of blue stone with an engraved message. In front of the wall on the ground will be red bricks laid in the shape of a “V” for veteran. Each brick will have the name of a township resident who died while on active duty. In order to commemorate their sacrifice, help is needed to track down the identity of these heroes who fought in conflicts from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf War. Behind the wall will be a new flag pole and the entire site will have lighting.

In order to raise money for this memorial, additional veteran bricks will be located around the perimeter of the memorial and non-veteran bricks will be located in the walkway to the memorial. The bricks may be ordered by anyone, not just Clifford Township residents and may be purchased in honor of anyone, living or deceased, male or female and may include a brief message.

The engraved bricks can be ordered after November 1. Please contact Jack Tellep at 222-4409 or any CTCA director. Those wishing to make a monetary donation may send a check to CTCA, attn. Veterans Memorial, PO Box 339, Clifford, PA 18413.

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PARSE Meeting
By Cynthia Sims, Sec.

The Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees met at the Fairdale United Methodist Church on October 11. The organization, saddened by the death of past Bradford County Vice President Nancy Spencer, voted to give a donation to the Bradford Co. Library in her memory.

Joe Plonski gave a report on the State PARSE meeting. Arthur Schwartz was reelected president, and Clara Smith was reelected Northeast Region Vice President. He said there was much discussion about a yearly Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), but no new action. He urged all members to vote in the upcoming election.

Vice President, Clara Smith also urged all members to vote. She also reminded members that all Pennsylvania State Retirees are better off with their prescription plan and should not sign up for Medicare, Plan D.

The November 15 meeting will be held in Dushore at the Zion Lutheran Church. For more information or to make reservations, contact Susquehanna County Vice President John Benio at (570) 278–2389.

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